"And what is that?" Snow exclaimed.
Daypaw sighed impatiently. She's holding us back!
"That," Berryoak explained patiently. "Is a Twoleg."
"It's so peculiar," Snow murmured, inching closer.
"No!" The patrol shouted in unison.
She looked back, confused, "They look harmless."
Daypaw rolled her eyes. "Trust me, they're not."
Snow nodded sadly, heading back to the patrol.
"Well, well, well. Look who we have here," a sinister voice chuckled.
Berryoak whipped around to face the cat. A pretty tabby she-cat was sitting delicately on a fence above them. Daypaw could tell that Berryoak was unimpressed.
"We're just passing through," he quickly assured the tabby.
The tabby's nonchalant gaze slid back to Rippleshade and Duskblossom.
"Ah," the tabby meowed, "We meet again."
"Hi, Roxy," Rippleshade muttered unenthusiastically.
"Last I remember, you owe me," Roxy reminded them.
Berryoak slowly turned to face them. "I'm sorry, did you forget to mention her?"
"Er, maybe?" Rippleshade admitted.
Berryoak rolled his eyes. "Whatever. We can put up a fight."
Roxy laughed, a shrill sound. "Oh, can you?"
At her words, four massive toms jumped onto the fence. Berryoak exchanged a glance with Rippleshade, a silent exchange, saying, 'we'll talk later.'
Cloudfish let out a battle cry and launched himself to the fence, and plummeting to the other side, taking a tom with him. Fierce yowls followed a huge thud. Berryoak tensed and leaped up, his claws out, aiming for Roxy. Instantly, the three other toms protected her, and Roxy was left without injuries.
"Axel!" Roxy called to the tabby tom battling with Cloudfish. Her gaze was still on Berryoak.
Instantly the huge tom stopped and leaped up to her. "Yes?"
Her blue eyes gleaming, she whispered in his ear. His amber eyes narrowed and Daypaw wondered what the exchange was. He bounded off, casting one spiteful glare at Cloudfish, who was trying to scramble up the fence.
Roxy licked a paw. "Retreat," she ordered mockingly, her blue eyes teasing the Clan cats.
Daypaw could tell that they didn't win. Roxy merely called her cats off for the fun of it. Growling, Daypaw licked a paw and turned towards her Clanmates.
"And you didn't think to tell us about her?" Berryoak asked scathingly, turning towards Rippleshade and Duskblossom.
"Sorry," Rippleshade responded sheepishly.
Berryoak rolled his eyes and flicked his tail, a command for the patrol to continue. Daypaw fell in pace with Foxclaw, and she could help giving him a sidelong glance.
He met her gaze. "We didn't come through here."
"Oh, where did DarkClan take you through?" Daypaw asked, curious.
He motioned with his tail. "DarkClan and Eagle, I think it was, went over fields. It was an easy journey, but we've already gone this far."
"That sounds nice," she murmured enviously, the rough stones of Twolegplace were hurting her pads.
"Don't worry," he meowed reassuringly, giving her a lick on the cheek, "We'll be home soon."
Mistbriar glanced at Shadestar. "It's been two moons," she reminded him.
He merely grunted. "I trust Berryoak."
A yowl followed his words. She looked up to see Flickershine facing the entrance, her black tail fluffed up. Bounding out of Shadestar's den, she delicately picked her way into the clearing.
"What is it?" Mistbriar hissed, arching her back. Was DarkClan attacking again?
A cream head poked its way into the entrance. His eyes shone with recognition and relief.
"Berryoak!" Mistbriar exclaimed.
Frecklelight poked her head out of the nursery. Her ever growing kits had tumbled out, racing to greet their father. The speckled white she-cat had followed more slowly, love in her eyes.
"You're back," she whispered.
"I'm back," he raced towards his mate, almost tripping over the excited trio at his paws.
A silver she-cat slowly padded out of the nursery, her eyes searching the sea of faces as the patrol was reunited with their Clan.
Cloudfish stepped into the camp, his eyes alight with happiness a being back. He raced towards Silverrose. Mistbriar could see his lips moving and his ears flick towards her belly. An excited murmur escaped from the silver she-cat's lips. A look of surprise crossed his face, along with happiness.
Good, Mistbriar thought, He's pleased.
Duskblossom and Rippleshade walked out together, their pelts brushing. The handsome silver tom purposefully ignored a waiting Rosefall, causing the deputy to chuckle. Foxclaw stepped into the clearing, followed by a bouncing Daypaw and a trudging Cinderbird. Gingerpaw and an unfamiliar she-cat followed suit.
Great StarClan, how many cats did we send?
Needledawn bustled out of the nursery, racing to greet Duskblossom and Cinderbird.
"You had your kits," Duskblossom gasped, glancing at her hollowed belly.
"I did," Needledawn purred, "And it was the worst pain you could ever imagine! Don't ever have kits," she warned with a mrrow of laughter.
Lightkit, Cloudkit, and Pinekit bounced out of the nursery. The small kits sniffed Duskblossom and Cinderbird.
"You smell funny," Pinekit meowed, wrinkling her nose.
"Don't be rude," Needledawn chided her. "These are my kits, Lightkit," she touched the silver tabby with her tail, "Cloudkit, and Pinekit."
"They're beautiful," Cinderbird murmured.
"And," Needledawn continued, "Kits, these are Cinderbird and Duskblossom."
"You still smell funn—" Pinekit started, only to be quickly whisked away by her mother.
Needledawn shot an apologetic glance to her friends as she herded her kits back to the nursery.
"Clanmates," Shadestar announced, bounding towards the cats, "The patrol has returned with Foxclaw!"
IceClan cheered.
"And we have warriors to make. Gingerpaw, you have shown great courage and loyalty on the journey, and because of that, you will be made a warrior. I, Shadestar, leader of IceClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn." Shadestar glanced at Needledawn, who was watching him proudly. "Gingerpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Gingerpaw took a breath. "I do."
Shadestar looked proud. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Gingerpaw, from this moment you will be known as Gingerblaze. StarClan honors your dedication and your loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of IceClan."
"Gingerblaze, Gingerblaze!" IceClan cheered for the new warrior, and called his name to the sky.
"Thank you," Gingerblaze murmured, glancing at his mentor and Snow. "What about Snow?"
The Clan turned to look at the Tribe to-be. The white she-cat shrank under their gaze, looking frightful.
"Where did you come from?" Shadestar asked the she-cat gently.
"T-the," she cleared her throat, "I came from the Tribe of Falling Snow."
"You are welcome in IceClan," he reassured her.
"Thank you," Snow whispered, before bounding off to congratulate Gingerblaze. "Gingerblaze!" she welcomed him, and licked him on his ear.
"Daypaw," Shadestar rumbled.
The gray apprentice blinked innocently at him, but a flash of fear appeared. "Yes, Shadestar."
"You know what you have done."
"Yes, Shadestar," Daypaw dipped her head, but Mistbriar could see she was not guilty.
"But, Berryoak informed me that you have shone bravery and you deserve to be made a warrior."
"Really?" The apprentice could not restrain a squeak of excitement.
"Yes, really," Shadestar sounded amused.
"Daypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do," her words were filled with determination.
Shadestar took a deep breath, "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Daypaw, from this moment you will be known as Daylight. StarClan honors your spirit and your energy, and we welcome you as a full warrior of IceClan."
As the newly named warrior touched noses with her leader, Mistbriar noticed with amusement that Foxclaw was staring at Daylight. The she-cat nodded at Shadestar before gracefully bounding to Gingerblaze. There was no surprise that Foxclaw was mesmerized by the pretty she-cat; she had grown and matured over the journey. Cinderbird's blue gaze was hardened by jealousy as the tom she had once called her own was staring at another she-cat.
They won't be hard to set up.
Well, *sniff* it's done! The first book I've ever finished. Sorry, all of those weird one-shots about zombies and stuff. Ok, I'm getting distracted again. I'm pretty happyish about how it turned out, considering when I wrote it, the only idea I had for it was a killer first sentence. XD
Ok, I just want to make this clear. I am very aware that I haven't included several OCs, but they will be in the sequel, if that's still okay if I use them. Sorry 'bout that.
Make sure to look out for the sequel, "Haven't Decided What to Name it Yet," Actually, I thought of a really good title in the shower, but forgot it. *tear, tear* Sorry, I'm emotional. Ok, I have created a poll in my profile about the title. Please make sure to check that out :)
Here's some facts about On Thin Ice. (warning there's like.. three. But that's not the point)
1. Daybae was supposed to end up with Gingerpaw.
2. The story was originally going to revolve around Duskblossom and her love life with (censored) (but we all know it's Ripplebae)
3. I actually completely forgot Daypaw and Foxclaw and it was a complete accident that we even went to the mountains
4. The story started when (see above) I thought of a cool intro and a cool name (Dusky) :)
5. As i've already mentioned in past chapters, Needledawn was going to die in labor (and then a side idea sparked of Shadestar giving one of his lives to her but it never happened XD)(SO THAT MEANS ANOTHER CAT WILL DIE HEHEHE) *cough Silverrose cough*
6. The author is extremely grateful for all of your support and reviews and they really mean a lot to the author *starts bawling*
Rando *cries* Review time for the last time in the book! (I don't know if I can take this tbh ahhh)
Mintflight0245- Thank you so much! *starts crying because this will be the last time we talk about sandwiches on OTI* Right, sandwiches are total inspiration! Also, just thank you so much for all of your support and it *sniffle* just means *cries again* a lot! *hugs thru the app* Sorry I'm so emotional :D
Unknown Warrior- Aww thank you! Sorry, but it was kind of dragging out and I felt like it needed to end. Sorry! And thank you so much for your review!
MedicineCatsRule- Yeah, I tried to make Eagle an unlikeable character, glad it worked! Yeah, happy late Cinco De Mayo aaaaanndd (we can't forget about it) May the Sith be with you! (belated) My gosh, I love Darth Vader. Actually, more Anakin, but whatevs. Thank you so much for your support and your reviews!
Also, s/o to Grayshadow Warrior! Thank you so much for your really helpful reviews and support! It really means a lot!
Thank *sniff* you so much for reading and happy reading! :D Where are those Kleenexes?
~Poppyfrost*sniffle*123 :)